Widmer Brothers Medal at GABF

Press Release

Oct. 7, 2014 at 10:41 AM

PORTLAND, Ore. — The big year for Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen continues today as the brewery celebrates a Silver Medal in the American-Style Wheat Beer with Yeast category at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held over the weekend. The Silver Medal for Hefeweizen comes on the heels of a Gold Medal win at the 2014 World Beer Cup (WBC), making this the 11th high-profile medal in The Original American Hefeweizen’s 28-year history, including two Golds, four Silvers, and two Bronzes at GABF, and three Golds at WBC.

The most recent win at GABF comes at the perfect time, as Widmer Brothers celebrates its 30th Anniversary and once again establishes Hefeweizen as the brewery’s flagship beer. The brewery has celebrated the 30th Anniversary with numerous beer releases and events throughout year, with the introduction of the small batch 30 Beers for 30 Years Series, six collaboration brews with six of Oregon’s most innovative breweries, and the new year-round IPA, Upheaval IPA. At halfway through the year’s anniversary celebrations, the GABF Silver Medal win proves that Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen remains the company’s flagship beer for good reason.

Widmer Brothers also recently wrapped up an ambitious summer celebration in Portland called 100 Days of Hefe. From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day this year, Widmer Brothers organized events featuring The Original American Hefeweizen every day in the Portland area. In total, more than 150 local events took place over the 100-day period.

“This is the year that Widmer Hefe is going to come roaring back, so get ready,” said Widmer Brothers Co-Founder Rob Widmer, at the brewery’s recent annual national distributor meeting, CBA-Con.

Kurt and Rob Widmer, co-founders of the 30-year-old brewery, first brewed their version of Hefeweizen in 1986. At the time, they unknowingly created a new beer style: American Style Wheat; since then, the award-winning Hefe has helped elevate Widmer Brothers Brewing to national acclaim and has become a favorite among beer drinkers in Portland and across the country.

The brewery has big plans for Hefeweizen in the year to come, with plans to announce a new twist on the summer original. In the summer of 2015, Widmer Brothers will introduce Hefe Shandy, which will feature Hefe’s signature characteristics with the addition of natural lemon flavor.

Founded in 1984, Widmer Brothers Brewing is celebrating 30 years of beer in 2014. Founders Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their 20s, they began brewing unique interpretations of traditional German beer styles. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the original American-style Hefeweizen, which elevated the brewery to national acclaim. Since then, the brewery has continued to push the boundaries of craft beer, developing a variety of beers with an unapologetic, uncompromised commitment to innovation.

Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently brews a variety of beers including Hefeweizen, Upheaval IPA, Alchemy Pale Ale, Drop Top Amber Ale, a full seasonal lineup, and a series of limited edition beers. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit www.widmerbrothers.com.